Mechanical toy



May 17, 1938. s. u. BERGER 2,117,597

MECHANICAL TOY Filed Feb. 2 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR Jamaal 1.fie)" er ATTORNEYS s. I. BERGER MECHANICAL TOY May 17, 1938.

Filed Feb. 2 19 33 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYS e w mfi NZ 5 mu m QM iiiPatented May 17, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 13 Claims.

My present invention relates more particularly to mechanically operatedtoys capable of locomotion, and while certain aspects thereof are ofwider application to toys generally of this type, the invention isapplicable more especially to spring motor driven toy vehicles.

One object of the present invention is to provide a toy of the abovetype, which automatically makes at predetermined intervals a sharppivotal turn to change the direction of locomotion of the toy.

Another object is to provide a to; of the above type, whichautomatically follows a succession of straight courses and which atpredetermined intervals makes a pivotal square or pivotal reverse turn.7

Another object is to provide a toy of the character described having acertain predetermined locomotive movement, which gives the impression ofbeing intended and pre-designed, in contra-distinction to the usualspring motor toy having a haphazard uncertain travelling movement.

Another object is to provide a self-propelled toy, which makes atpredetermined intervals a sharp pivotal turn, always in the samerotative direction, so that the movement of the toy is confined within arestricted area.

Another object is to provide a toy of the character described which inits realistic appearance and action will be intriguing and highlyappealing to the imagination of a juvenile operator, and which issimple, efiicient, rugged and durable in use, and yet well-suited to therequirements of economical manufacture.

The invention is shown embodied in a toy military tank, characterizedwhen in operation by its realistic simulation of a full-sized militarytank in combative locomotion.

In the accompanying drawings in which is shown one of various possibleembodiments of the sceveralfeatures of the invention,

Fig. l is a top plan view of a toy military tank, constructed inaccordance with the present invention,

Figs. 2 and 3 are sections taken respectively on lines 2-2 and 3-3 ofFig. 1, but shown -on a somewhat larger scale,

Fig. 4 is a section taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2,

Fig. 5 is a section taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 4,

Figs. 6 and 7 are sections taken respectively on lines 6-6 and 1-1 ofFig. 2, and

Fig. 8 is a bottom plan viewof the traction wheel section of the tank.

Referring to the drawings, the invention is shown embodied in the formof a toy military tank, comprising upper and lower similar metal sheetsH and I2, suitably interlocked at l3 and following the contour of ovatespaced side metal plates 14 and I5 to which said sheets are joinedpreferably by the ordinary slot and bendable tongue connections l6 wellknown in the toy art. The resultant chassis assembly simulates the armorof a tank and defines a curved forward end IT, a narrower rear end l8,and a straight bottom 20, (Fig. 2).

Connected preferably by the usual tongue and slot connections to the topside of the armor casing is an inverted cup-shaped member 22, simulatinga gun turret. Connected to the forward side of this turret 22 preferablyby slot and tongue connections is a tubular member 23 rolled from a thinmetal sheet to simulate a gun barrel.

The power plant comprises a simple spring m0- tor M mounted within thechassis, and resting on the bottom plate section 20 thereof. This motoris set between a pair of spaced frame plates 25 and 26, joined toprovide a casing therefor, plate 25 having transverse extensions l9affording the tongues for slot and tongue connections with the armorplate l4. These frame plates 25 and 26 form journals for a winding shaft21, one end 21a of which extends through an aperture 28 in the sideplate l4 and is polygonal in crosssection to receive a winding key 2Tb.

Mounted on the winding shaft 2! for rotation therewith is a ratchetplate 28 (Figs. 4 and 5) having prongs 30 cooperating with detent slots3| in main spur gear 32, loosely supported on said shaft. Afllxed to thewinding shaft 21 is one end of a powerful motor spring 35, the other endbeing anchored to an end frame plate 31 forming an integral part of oneof the frame plates as for instance, plate 26.

Journalled on frame plates 25 and 26 is a wheel axle 38, driven frommaingear 32 by a pinion a (Fig. 4) afilxed to said axle and meshingwithsaid gear.

In the winding of the spring motor, the rotation of the winding shaft 21in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 5, causes the windingof the motor spring 35. about said shaft, the ratchet prongs 30 ridingidly past the detent slots 3| of gear 32 during this operation. Whenwinding shaft 21 is released, the potential energy stored in the woundspring 35 rotates said shaft in a clockwise direction, and the resultantcatching of the prongs 30 in the detent slots 3| effects the rotation ofthe wheel axle 38 in forward driving direction.

The axle rod fl has afllxed thereto near the inner side of the plates l4and II, a pair of traction wheels 40 and 4| extending partially throughslots 42 and 43 respectively in the chassis plate I; and almostconcealed from view.

Centrally connected to the forward endof the chassis is a caster wheel45, (Figs. 2 and '7) mounted on an axle pin 48, supported on aswivelling bracket 41. This bracket 41 has a pair of spaced arms 48 onwhich the axle 45 is supported and a pair of spaced flanges 58. Theseflanges 50 straddle a pair of spaced flanges 5i, extending rearwardlyfrom a hinge post 52 afllxed to chassis plate I! preferably by tongueand slot connections, and are pivotally connected to said flanges 5| bya pintle 53.

Wheel 45 extends partially through a segmentally shaped slot 54 in thechassis plate l2 so that it rides idly on the floor F, and is free toswivel in, accordance with the pivotal movement of the toy. One end 55of the slot 54 is advantageously parallel to the longitudinal medianplane of the toy, and the other end 56 is at right angles thereto forthe purpose hereinafter made apparent.

As an important feature of the present invention, the means for pivotingthe toy in its sharp turn movement includes a lever 6| (Figs. 3 and 4),pivotally connected to the frame plate 25 at 60, and having an extension62 at one side of its lower end projecting through a slot 53 formed inan outward flange 64 on the lower edge of said frame'plate. Thisextension 52 terminates in a point 65 and serves as a pivot leg for thetoy as will be hereinafter made apparent.

The upper end 66 of the lever 5| extends through a guide slot 61 formedin an outward flange 58 of frame plate 25, and is provided just belowsaid flange with a transverse extension 10, cooperating as a followerwith a cam H aflixed to winding shaft 2l. The lever Si is urged in acounterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 3 about its pivotal support50 by means of a U- shaped spring clip 12 straddling the motor casing,and having its bent base portion 120. anchored in corners formed betweenthe lower edges of frame plates 25 and 26, and lugs 15 depending fromsaid plates respectively. One side arm 12b of spring clip 12 passes overa fulcrum piece 13 struck out from the frame plate 25, and underneath atongue 14 struck out from the lever BI,

shaped that the pivot leg 62 is directly below wheel axle 38 and passesthrough said opening 18. For that purpose the lower portion 18 of thelever BI is substantially triangular, and theedge 18 of pivot leg 62 isconvexly curved so that said edge will lie closely adjacent to the wheelaxle 38 and pivot point 85 will lie directly below said axle. In theposition shown in full lines in Fig. 3, while the low part of the cam His opposite follower plate 10, pivot point 65 will be above the lowerperipheries of wheels 48 and 4i, and in the dotted position shown, pivotpoint 65 will extend below the lower periphery of said wheel 40.

In the operation of the turning feature of the invention, as cam llrotates in a counterclockwise direction (Fig. 3) by the unwinding actionof motor spring 35, lever II will be angularly oscillated about itspivot support 88. When the high part of the cam 1| rides over followerplate 18; pivot leg 82 will come down into dotted position shown in Fig.3 and tilt the toy on one side so that the wheel 48 will be above thefloor and willhave no tractive effect on said toy. The toy will thenpivot about the pivot point 65 as the result of the tractive action ofwheel 4|. As soon as the toy starts to pivot the circular drag of thefloor on caster wheel 45 causes said wheel to swivel from the positionshown in Figs. 2 and 7, to a position at right angles thereto so thatthis wheel in its new position aids in the continued pivotal movement ofthe toy. The end 56 of segmental slot 54 serves as a stop for casterwheel 45 so that said wheel will not quiver and will be maintained inproper steady position during turning movement of the toy.

When the high part of cam H has rotated past engagement with followerplate 18, lever 8| under the action of the spring 12 will return to itsnormal position shown in full lines in Fig. 3 and the pivot leg 62 willbe lifted to restore the wheel 40 into driving engagement with thefloor. The toy will then resume its straight course, and caster wheel 45will be dragged to the position shown in Figs. 2 and 7 in the medianlongitudinal plane of the toy.

Cam H is so designed, and its speed of rotation so correlated with thespeed of rotation of wheels 48 and 4| that the toy will make a squareturn. That is the pivot leg 52 will remain in pivot position long enoughfor the toy to turn 90. However, as far as certain aspects of theinvention are concerned the cam H may be constructed to impart a pivotalturning rotation of any desired angle. The return movement of pivot leg62 may for instance, be delayed long enough to permit thev toy toreverse itself at predetermined intervals.

It must be noted thatthe lever pivot connection 80 is substantially inthe horizontal plane of pivot point 85, and that the distance betweensaid pivot connection 60 and said pivot point is sufficiently great sothat said pivot point 65 has a substantially vertical movement. In thismanner, pivot point 65 does not substantially change its position duringturning action of the toy and the turning will therefore be a truepivotal one.

The toy is also provided with a housing 80 (Figs. 1 and 2) connected tothe top of the armor plate H preferably by the usual slot and tongueconnections, and having a substantially rectangular opening 8| at thetop simulating the entrance or exit opening of the tank. Connected tothe housing 80 at the rear end of opening 8|,-

has its center of gravity forwardly of its pivotal support 81.

The figure 86 and the door 83 are operated intermittently from thespring motor M in such a way, that the door 83 will swing into closedposition, and the figure 88 will enter the interior of the tank duringone operating phase, and during another phase, the door will open andthe figure 86 will swing out through the opening 8! into tiring positionshown in Fig. 2. For that purpose, the .rear end of bracket 34 has a lugII, to which is pivotally connected. one end of a wire pitman 30, theother end being pivotally connected at 03 to a lever 0| which ispivotally supported at 02 to frame plate 26. This lever 8| has pivotallycon-,

does not interfere with the swinging movement of said lever, said shaftpasses through an elongated slot 98 formed in said lever.

The lever 9| is urged in a clockwise direction as shown in Fig. 2 by thespring clip 12. For that purpose the spring side arm 12c passes over afulcrum piece IOI struck out of plate 26 and underneath an offset detentI02 formed in cam follower 94, and is downwardly curved in tensionedposition to urge said fo1l0wer04 in a counterclockwise direction (Fig.2) about its pivotal support 93 with respect to lever 9|. The extent ofcounterclockwise movement of follower 94 with respect to lever 9| isdetermined by an outwardly struck lug I03 of lever 9| serving as a stopfor said follower so that when said follower engages said lug saidfollower and said lever 9! will be urged in unison in a clockwisedirection by spring clip l2. In this manner the spring clip l2 servesthe dual function of acting upon both levers El and 9|.

In operation, as winding shaft 21 is turned in counterclockwise windingdirection (Fig. 2) cam tl acting on follower flange 96 will oscillatefollower 94 about its pivotal support 03 without disturbing lever 9i.During the unwinding operation of spring motor M as winding shaft 2!rotates in clockwise direction (Fig. 2), cam 31 engaging follower plate96a will oscillate follower 9d and lever QI in unison about pivotalsupport 22. While lever 9| is swinging in counterclock- Wise directionit exerts a downward pull on pitman 90 causing door 83 to open andfigure 36 to move from the interior of the tank into firing positionshown in Fig. 2. As lever SI swings back in clockwise direction underthe action of spring i2, it exerts an upward force on pitman 9i! causingdoor 83 to swing back again into closed position. During this closingmovement, the forward portion I04 of iigure 85 riding over the cornerH05 of turret 22 or over a downward flange I06 at the forward end ofdoor opening 8I will swing said toy in clockwise direction (Fig. 2)about its pivot support 81, so that this figure will ride smoothly intothe interior of the toy chassis.

Associated with gun barrel 23 is a spark generating mechanism operatedfrom thespring motor M to simulate a firing gun. For that purpose, thereis journalled in the plates 25 and 26 a shaft IIO (Figs. 2, 4, and 6)carrying a pinion III meshing with a gear H2 aflixed to axle shaft 38.Connected to one end of this shaft H0 is a crown gear M3, meshing with apinion II4 affixed to one end of an oblique shaft H5, the other end ofwhich carries a crown gear H5 near the roof of the chassis. The lowerend of this shaft H5 isjournalled in a flange III extending outwardlyfrom theplate 26, and the upper end is journalled in a bracket H8supported from the roof of the chassis preferably by tongue and slotconnections. This bracket IIB has a pair of spaced side members I20 inwhich is journalled a shaft I2I carrying apinion I22 meshing with crowngear I I0. Aflixed to one end of shaft I 2I is a wheel I23 having-anabrasive surface, and passing through an opening I24 in thetop of plateII and a slot I25 in the forward part of the gun turret 22. Resting onthe periphery of this abrasive wheel I23 is a pyrophoric element I20preferably in the form of a flint piece connected to one end of a barI21, the other end I23, being offset and passing through a slot I20 inthe top portion of the gun barrel 23 to pivotally support said bar. Bymeans of this construction, as the vehicle moves, abrasive wheel I23 isrotated in a counterclockwise direction (Fig. 2) thereby generatingsparks which fly forwardly through the outlet of the gun barrel 23 insimulation of a firing gun.

The chassis also has incorporated therein a sound producing means forsimulating the repeated sounds of a firing gun. This means includes awheel I30 (Figs. 2 and 4) aflixed to axle shaft 38 and having a seriesof teeth III preferably only on one side thereof. Cooperating with thiswheel I30 is a clapper spring plate I32 having a portion fixed to plateI2 preferably by rivets I33, and having an offset portion I 34 at oneend contacting with said wheel. As this wheel I30 rotates, the teeththereof will strike clapper plate I32 and produce a series of repeatedgun firing sounds.

A stop mechanism is provided in the form of a lever I 40 (Figs. 1, 2,and 6) pivoted at I to the side plate I, and formed with a tongue I42which is struck out-therefrom and which extends inwardly to engage anoffset end I43 of shaft Hi. In one angular position of lever I40, tongueI42 engaging offset end I43 of shaft I2! prevents the rotation of saidshaft and causes braking of the motor M. In the opposite angularposition of lever I40, tongue I42 will be out of the path of therotating offset shaft end I43 so that the entire mechanism will be freeto operate.

As many changes could be made in the above construction, and manyapparently widely different embodiments of this invention could be madewithout departing from the scope of the claims, it is intended that allmatter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanyingdrawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitingsense.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:-

1. A toy of the self-propelled type including a pair of spaced tractionmembers therefor, a driving motor for said traction members, and a pivotleg adjacent to one of said traction members and oscillated from saidmotor in a substantially vertical direction to periodically bring thelower pivot point of sai-d'leg below the lower traction surface of saidlatter traction member,

whereby said latter traction member is rendered,

inoperative and the toy pivotally turned about said pivot point.

3. A toy of the self-propelled type including a pair of spaced tractionmembers therefor, a driving motor for said traction members, and a leveradjacent to one of said traction members, and angularly oscillated fromsaid motor, a pivot extension movable periodically by the oscillatorymovement of said lever to below the lower traction surface of saidlatter traction member to tilt the toy, so that the lattertractionmember is rendered inoperative and the toy pivotally turnedabout said pivot extension.

4. A toy of the self-propelled type including a pair of traction wheelstherefor, a spring mo-v tor for said wheels having a frame casing, alever pivotally supported on said frame casing near one of said wheels,and defining a pivot point'at its lower end, and. means operated fromsaid motor for angularly oscillating said lever about its pivotalsupport to periodically move said pivot point below the lower tractionsurface of said latter wheel, whereby the toy is tilted and caused toturn about said pivot point.

5. A toy of the self-propelled type including a pair of spaced tractionwheels therefor, a spring motor for said wheels, a pivotally supportedlever adjacent to one of said wheels and defining a pivot point at itslower end, and means for angularly oscillating said lever about itspivotal support to periodically move said pivot point below the lowertraction surface of said latter wheel, and including a cam driven fromsaid motor and engaging said lever.

6. A toy of the self-propelled type including a pair of spaced tractionwheels therefor, a spring motor for said wheels, a lever having a pivotleg on one side thereof adjacent to one of said wheels, and pivotallysupported at a section spaced a substantial horizontal distance from thelower end of said pivot leg and means operated from said motor forangularly oscillating said lever about its pivotal support to move saidend in a substantially vertical direction alternately above and belowthe lower traction surface of said latter wheel, whereby the toy isperiodically turned about said pivot leg.

'7. A toy of the self-propelled type comprising a pair of spacedtraction wheels therefor, connected to a common axle, a spring motor forsaid wheels, including a frame casing, and a winding shaft supported onsaid casing and having one end thereof extending through one side ofsaid casing to receive a winding key, and having the other end extendingthrough the other side of said casing, a lever having an extension nearone end forming,a depending pivot leg substantially in the verticalplane of said axle, and pivotally supported on the latter side of saidcasing near one of said wheels, and at a section spaced a substantialhorizontal distance from the lower end of said pivot leg, said leverhaving a transverse outward flange integral therewith, and means forangularly oscillating said lever about its pivotal support toperiodically move said lower end of said pivot leg below the lowertraction surface of said latter wheel, whereby the toy is caused to makea pivotal turn about said pivot leg, said latter means including a camconnected to the latter end of said winding shaft and engaging saidflange.

8. A toy of the self-propelled type including a spring motor having aframe casing, a pair of members supported on said casing on oppositesides thereof, a pair of cams operated from said motor for oscillatingsaid members respectively, a spring clip straddling said motor casingand urging both of said members against the action of said cams, andmeans responsive to the oscillatory movement of said members foreffecting certain amusing operations of said toy.

9. A toy of the self-propelled type including a spring motor having aframe casing, a pair of levers pivotally supported on said casing onopposite sides thereof, a pair of cams operated from said" motor forangularly oscillating said levers respectively, a spring clip straddlingsaid casing and having a pair of side arms engaging said leversrespectively to urge said levers against the action of said cams, andmeans responsive to the oscillatory movement of said levers foreffecting certain amusing operations of said toy.

10. A toy of the self-propelled type comprising a spring motor having aframe casing, a lever pivotally connected to one side of said casing,said motor including a winding shaft supported on said frame casing andhaving one end extend through an elongated slot in said lever, a cam onthe latter end of said winding shaft, a member yieldably mounted on saidlever and having a pair of flanges for engagement with said cam, one ofsaid flanges being adapted to be engaged by said cam during the windingrotation of said shaft, to move said member in one direction withrespect to said lever, whereby said lever is immobile during saidwinding rotation, spring means urging said member in opposite direction,stop means for limiting said latter movement with respect to said lever,the other flange being adapted to be engaged by said cam during theunwinding rotation of said shaft, whereby said lever and said member areangularly oscillated in unison about the pivotal support of said leverduring this unwinding operation, and means responsive to the oscillatorymovement of said lever for effecting an amusing operation of said toy.

11. A toy of the self-propelled type including a motor having a framecasing, a lever pivotally connected to one side of said casing, awinding shaft supported on said frame casing and having one endextending through an elongated slot in said lever, a cam affixed to saidshaft end, ameniber pivotally connected to said lever and having a pairof flanges for engagement with said cam, one of said flanges beingadapted to be engaged by said cam during the winding movement of thewinding shaft to angularly swing said member in one direction withrespect to said lever whereby said lever is immobile during said windingoperation, a spring for urging said member in opposite angulardirection, stop means for limiting this latter movement of said memberwith respect to said lever, the other flange being adapted to be engagedby said cam during the unwinding rotation of said shaft whereby saidlever and said member are angularly oscillated in unison about thepivotal support of said lever against the action of said'spring duringthis unwinding operation, and means responsive to the angularoscillatory movement of said lever for effecting an amusing operation ofsaid toy.

12. A toy of the self-propelled type including a chassis having a door,a motor in said chassis having a framecasing, a lever pivotallyconnected to one side of said motor, said motor including a windingshaft supported on said frame casing and having one end extendingthrough an elongated slot in said lever, a cam on said end, a memberpivotally connected to said lever and having a pair of flanges forengagement with said cam, one of said flanges being adapted to beengaged by said cam during the winding operation of the winding shaft toangularly swing said member in one direction with respect to said leverwhereby said lever is not moved during said winding operation, springmeans urging said member in opposite direction, stop means for limitingsaid latter movement of said member with respect to said lever, theother flange being adapted to be engaged by said cam during theunwinding rotation of said winding shaft, whereby said lever isangularly oscillated about its pivotal support, and means responsive tothe angular oscillatory movement of said lever for eiIecting the openingand closing of said door.

13. A toy tank of the self-propelled type including a chassis having anopening on top, and a hinged door for said opening, a. figure adapted toextend in and out through said opening, a motor in said chassisincluding a frame casing, a lever pivotally connected to one side ofsaid motor, a winding shaft supported on said frame casing and havingone end extending through an elongated slot in said lever, a cam on saidshaft end, a member pivotally connected to said lever and having a pairof flanges for engagement with said cam, one of said flanges beingadapted to be engaged by said cam during the winding operation of thewinding shaft to angularly swing said member in one direction withrespect to said lever, whereby said lever is not moved during thiswinding operation, spring means urging said member in oppositedirection, stop means for limiting said latter movement of said memberwith respect to said lever, the other flange being adapted to be engagedby said cam during the unwinding rotation of said winding shaft where bysaid lever is angularly oscillated about its pivotal support, and meansresponsive to the angular oscillatory movement of said lever foreffecting

